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IPPF EN commends new UN commentary on indivisible right to sexual and reproductive health

7th March 2016

IPPF EN commends a new commentary from UN experts which says that the right to sexual and reproductive health is indivisible from other human rights.

“Sexual and Reproductive Health is a basic human right. It is critical that this is addressed, particularly on International Women’s Day. Women’s access to essential services is impeded by poverty, discrimination and a lack of legal protection. In 2016, this is unacceptable,” said IPPF EN Regional Director Caroline Hickson.

The 18 independent members of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights said that the right to sexual and reproductive health was not only an integral part of the general right to health, but fundamentally linked to the enjoyment of many other human rights, including the rights to education, work and equality.

The Committee also mentioned that high maternal mortality rates around the world or harmful practices that women and girls especially go through, like female genital mutilation and early child marriage must be addressed.

They said that a lack of care for mothers in childbirth or a lack of access to safe abortion, often leading to maternal death, constitutes a violation of the right to life, and in certain circumstances can amount to torture.

“No woman should die in childbirth due to inadequate facilities or because they are too poor to access services. We know that access to safe abortion saves women’s lives, yet millions are denied that right,” said Ms Hickson.